Is Your Manicure Ruining Your Nails?

The answer: Unfortunately, yes. The good news: These manicure tips should solve your nail problems

You're not moisturizing I always assumed that slathering hand cream over a manicure was a recipe for chipping. I imagine that it would seep under the polish and make it peel off. However, all the experts told me I was wrong. "If your nails are dry, you need to moisturize -- even when you're wearing polish," says Parco. "It shouldn't affect your manicure at all. If anything, it'll make it last longer." And both Spielfogel and Konarski say you should use cuticle oil at least once a day, every day. "Your cuticles determine the health of your nails, so keep them hydrated," says Konarski.

My parents always warned me of the dangers of chemicals--now I'm sensitive to the smell of polish. I love my gel manicures and hate to give them up; usually the polish just "falls off" in sheets by itself.